Electric charging apparatus, electronic apparatus and electric charging control method

ABSTRACT

According to one aspect of the present invention, a battery charging apparatus, which is attachable/removable to/from an ink jet printer, and which electrically charges a secondary battery to supply electric power to the ink jet printer. The battery charging apparatus has a connector to supply the electric power from the battery to the ink jet printer, a power source voltage detection unit to determine an electric charging condition for electrically charging the battery, a serial communication unit to receive a battery charging control signal from the ink jet printer, and a microcomputer to control electric charging of the battery in correspondence with the received charging control signal and the electric charging condition.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an electric charging apparatusto electrically charge a secondary battery, an electronic apparatuswhich can be driven with the secondary battery, and an electric chargingcontrol method.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] In a portable small electronic apparatus, employed is a 2 powersource method of using an AC adapter utilizing a commercial (AC) powersource as a main driving power source, and in an environment where thecommercial power source (AC power source) cannot be utilized, using abattery as a driving power source. In this case, as the battery, arechargeable secondary battery which can be repeatedly used is widelyemployed. Further, in some cases, the secondary battery is electricallycharged with electric power supplied from the AC adapter.

[0003] In a product including an AC adapter and a battery as standardequipments such as a notebook type PC, the PC main body generallyincludes a battery charging function. However, in a small image printingapparatus such as an ink jet printing apparatus, including only an ACadapter as a standard equipment, a battery as a secondary driving powersource is an optional equipment. Accordingly, in such printingapparatus, if the battery charging function which is necessary only inuse of the battery is included in the apparatus main body as in the caseof the notebook type PC, unnecessary cost increase and upsizing areimposed on a user who does not require a battery. Accordingly, in somecases, the battery charging function is provided as a separate unit fromthe printing apparatus main body, and is handled as an optionalequipment similar to the battery. Note that to avoid troublesome removalof the battery from the apparatus main body and setting of the batteryin the charger upon every electric charging, a known arrangement is thatthe battery is attached to the electric charging unit which isattachable/removable to/from the apparatus main body and which has anelectric power relay function to relay-output electric power from thebattery to the apparatus main body.

[0004] Generally, to electrically charge the battery in a short period,a large amount of electric power is required. Further, to simultaneouslyperform driving of the apparatus and electrically charging of thebattery, it is necessary to use a large capacity AC adapter andhigh-rated current components. Accordingly, the cost and size of theapparatus are greatly increased. To avoid such cost increase andupsizing, employed is electric charging control to quickly charge thebattery when the apparatus is in a power-off status or stand-by statuswith a small amount of electric consumption, or electric chargingcontrol to perform quick charging when the amount of electricconsumption is small while to perform slow electric charging with alowered charging current when the amount of electric consumption islarge.

[0005] As described above, in the arrangement that the battery chargingfunction is provided as a separate unit from the apparatus main body andthe electric charging unit and the apparatus main body are driven withthe AC adapter as a main driving power source, the electric chargingunit is provided with means for detecting a consumed current in theapparatus main body. When the consumed current is less than apredetermined value, quick electric charging is automatically performed.

[0006] However, for detection of the consumed current in the apparatusmain body by the charging unit, it is necessary to add the means fordetecting the consumed current with high accuracy to the electriccharging unit. Thus, the size and cost of the electric charging unit areincreased. Further, as a voltage drop occurs due to resistance for thedetection of consumed current, the apparatus when driven with thebattery enters a low-battery state indicating reduction of batteryresidual capacity (electric power) ahead of time by the voltage drop.Thus a driving period per one electric charging is shortened.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the aboveconventional art, and has its object to provide an electric chargingapparatus and an electronic apparatus providing excellent operabilityand an electric charging control method.

[0008] According to the present invention, there is provided with anelectric charging apparatus attachable/removable to/from an electronicapparatus main body, which charges a secondary battery to supplyelectric power to the electronic apparatus, the apparatus comprising: acommunication unit configured to perform communication with theelectronic apparatus; determination means for determining an electriccharging condition for electrically charging the secondary battery; andcontrol means for controlling electric charging of the secondary batteryin correspondence with an electric charging control signal for thesecondary battery, received from the electronic apparatus via thecommunication unit, and the electric charging condition determined bythe determination means.

[0009] According to the present invention, there is provided with anelectric charging control method in an electric charging apparatusattachable/removable to/from an electronic apparatus main body, whichelectrically charges a secondary battery to supply an electric power tothe electronic apparatus, the method comprising: a supply step ofsupplying the electric power from the secondary battery to theelectronic apparatus; a determination step of determining an electriccharging condition for electrically charging the secondary battery; areception step of receiving an electric charging control signal for thesecondary battery from the electronic apparatus; and a control step ofcontrolling electrically charging of the secondary battery incorrespondence with the charging control signal received in thereception step and the charging condition determined in thedetermination step.

[0010] Other features and advantages of the present invention will beapparent from the following description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate thesame name or similar parts throughout the figures thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in andconstitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of theinvention and, together with the description, serve to explain theprinciples of the invention.

[0012]FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view showing the entire structureaccording to an embodiment of the present invention including an ink jetprinter, a battery charger and a cradle;

[0013]FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of the ink jet printer in FIG. 1to which the battery charger is attached;

[0014]FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view showing the cradle accommodatingthe ink jet printer and the battery charger in FIG. 1;

[0015]FIGS. 4A and 4B depict expanded perspective views explaining anoperation of a shutter member of the cradle;

[0016]FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of the cradle accommodating theink jet printer to which the battery charger is attached;

[0017]FIG. 6 depicts a side view of the cradle in FIG. 5;

[0018]FIG. 7 depicts a perspective view showing mechanisms of the inkjet printer according to the embodiment;

[0019]FIGS. 8A and 8B are block diagrams showing constructions of theink jet printer, the battery charger and the cradle according to theembodiment;

[0020]FIGS. 9A and 9B depict explanatory views showing data format inserial data communication between the ink jet printer and the batterycharger according to the embodiment;

[0021]FIG. 10 is a state transition diagram showing states between theink jet printer and the battery charger according to the embodiment;

[0022]FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing processing in the ink jet printeraccording to the embodiment;

[0023]FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing power off processing in the ink jetprinter according to the embodiment;

[0024]FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing processing in the battery chargeraccording to the embodiment;

[0025]FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing shut off processing in the batterycharger according to the embodiment;

[0026]FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing processing upon reception ofcharging disable signal in the battery charger according to theembodiment;

[0027]FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing processing upon reception ofcharging enable signal in the battery charger according to theembodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0028] A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now bedescribed in detail in accordance with the accompanying drawings.

[0029]FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view showing the entire structure ofan image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. In the present embodiment, FIG. 1 shows an ink jet printer800, a battery charger 900 including a battery, which is removablyattachable to the main body of the ink jet printer 800, and a cradle 950accommodating the ink jet printer 800 to which the battery charger 900is attached, in an upright position. Note that as a print medium forprinting by the ink jet printer 800 of the present embodiment, a printsheet is used, however, the present invention is not limited to theprint sheet but any sheet type medium may be employed as the printmedium. Further, the image forming apparatus is not limited to the inkjet printer but is applicable to any other printer of different printingmethod such as a thermal printer or a liquid crystal printer, a displaydevice or the like.

[0030] In FIG. 1, the ink jet printer 800 has an integral shellstructure including an upper case 801, a lower case 802, a paper feedcover 803 and a paper discharge cover 804, and when it is not used as aprinter (when it is installed or when a user carries it), it has anouter appearance as shown in FIG. 1. A DCin jack 817 (direct-currentpower source input jack) in which an AC adapter cable as a power sourceis inserted, and an I/F connector (interface connector) 815 forconnection with a USB cable are provided on a side surface of the inkjet printer 800. The paper feed cover 803 is opened to the printer mainbody upon printing, and functions as a print-sheet supply tray holdingprint sheets such as paper.

[0031] Next, the battery charger (electric charging unit) 900 will bedescribed. The battery charger 900 has a main case 901, a cover case 902and a battery cover 903. When the battery cover 903 is removed and themain case 901 is opened, a battery pack (battery) as a charging batterycan be removed.

[0032] Further, a main body connector 904 for electrical connection andfixing screws 905 and 906 for mechanical attachment are provided on anattachment surface (connection surface) of the battery charger 900 forconnection with the ink jet printer 800. The battery charger 900 isconnected to the main body of the printer 800 in an arrow A direction inFIG. 1, then the ink jet printer 800 can be battery-driven. Further, acharge indicator 909 indicating a battery charge state is provided on atop plate of the battery charger 900, and a CHG-DCin jack 907 in whichan AC adapter cable as a power source is inserted and a blinder plate908 which covers the DCin jack 817 of the ink jet printer 800 when thebattery charger 900 is attached to the printer 800.

[0033] In a status where the ink jet printer 800, to which the batterycharger 900 is attached, is inserted in an arrow B direction in FIG. 1in the cradle 950, the cradle 950 functions as a base, and holds the inkjet printer 800 in an upright position as shown in FIG. 1.

[0034]FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of the ink jet printer 800 towhich the battery charger 900 is attached, viewed from a position in therear of the printer and diagonally below the printer bottom plate side.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 2, when the battery charger 900 is attached tothe rear surface of the ink jet printer 800 and fixed there with thefixing screws 905 and 906, the printer is battery-driven.

[0036] Further, as described above, the DCin jack 817 provided on themain body of the ink jet printer 800 is covered with the blinder plate908 provided on the battery charger 900. When the battery charger 900 isattached to the ink jet printer 800, a user can rightly insert a powersupply cable from the AC adapter into the CHG-DCin jack 907 of thebattery charger 900, thus erroneous insertion of the power supply cablecan be prevented.

[0037] Further, 4 legs 901 a to 901 d provided on the main case 901 areprovided on the bottom surface of the battery charger 900. Further,contacts 910 a to 910 c for electrical contact with the cradle 910 uponattachment of the battery charger thereto are provided on the bottomsurface of the battery charger 900.

[0038] Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the charge indicator 909 of thebattery charger 900 is provided in a position in a top plate such thatthe user can easily check the indicator upon attachment or use of theink jet printer 800, and can perform visual observation without beingblocked when the paper feed cover 803 is open.

[0039]FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view showing the structure of thecradle 950.

[0040] In FIG. 3, as the outer appearance of the cradle 950, the cradlehas an upper case 951, a floor member 952, a bottom case (not shown inFIG. 3) and CDL decorative sheets 954 and 955. A CDL-DCin jack 956 inwhich an AC adapter cable as a power source is inserted, and windows 951a and 951 b, for visual observation of the charge indicator 909 of thebattery charger 900 even when the printer 800 is accommodated in thecradle 959, are provided on an outer side surface of the upper case 951.The windows 951 a and 951 b are provided diagonally to each other suchthat the charge indicator 909 of the battery charger 900 can be visuallyobserved in whatever direction the ink jet printer 800, to which thebattery charger 900 is attached, is accommodated in the cradle 950.

[0041] Further, CDL rubber legs 957 (3 of them are not shown in FIG. 3)are provided on the floor member 952 inside the cradle 950 to supportthe legs 901 a to 901 d of the battery charger 900 upon accommodation ofthe ink jet printer 800, to which the battery charger 900 is attached,in the cradle 950, in positions corresponding to the legs 901 a to 901d. Further, contact terminals 958 a to 958 c for electrical contact withthe contacts 910 a to 910 c of the battery charger 900, and a shuttermember 959 for protection of the contact terminals 958 a to 958 c areprovided inside the cradle 950. In normal times, the shutter member 959is elevated to a position to cover ends of the contact terminals 958 ato 958 c, and when the ink jet printer 800 to which the battery charger900 is attached is accommodated in the cradle 950, the shutter member959 is moved downward to a position such that the ends of the contactterminals 958 a to 958 c are exposed (in FIG. 3, the terminal areexposed), and the contact terminals 958 a to 958 c are electricallyconnected to the contacts 910 a to 910 c of the battery charger 900.Note that the number of the contacts of the battery charger 900 and thenumber of the contact terminals of the cradle 950 for connection withthe contacts are not limited to the above numbers of the presentembodiment.

[0042] Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the contacts 910 a to 910 c of thebattery charger 900 and the contact terminals 958 a to 958 c of thecradle 950 are respectively provided in central portions of connectionsurfaces of the battery charger 900 and the cradle 950. The contacts 910a to 910 c and the contact terminals 958 a to 958 c, respectively inproper arrangement, are in symmetrical positional relation forelectrical connection when the battery charger 900 is accommodated infront-facing/backward-looking state in the cradle 950. Further, thewindows 951 a and 951 b of the upper case 951 corresponding to thecharge indicator 909 of the battery charger 900 are diagonallypositioned to each other. Accordingly, when the user accommodates theink jet printer 800 to which the battery charger 900 is attached intothe cradle 950, regardless of in front-facing or backward-looking state,attachment and electric charging can be made without functionalinconvenience.

[0043]FIGS. 4A and 4B depict expanded perspective views explaining theoperation of the shutter member 959 of the cradle 950. FIG. 4A shows astatus where the shutter member 959 is in the elevated position, andFIG. 4B, a status where the shutter member 959 is in the lower position.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 4A, in the status where nothing is accommodatedin the cradle 950, the shutter member 959 is elevated to a position tocompletely cover the contact terminals 958 a to 958 c, thereby preventsbreakage of the contact terminals. On the other hand, when the ink jetprinter 800 is accommodated in the cradle 950, the shutter member 959 ismoved down to the position as shown in FIG. 4B, such that the contactterminals 958 a to 958 c are exposed from slits 959 a to 959 c providedin the shutter member 959, for electrical connection with the contacts910 a to 910 c.

[0045] Further, a biasing force to elevate the shutter member 959 is setto a smaller value than the weight of the ink jet printer 800 as amatter of course and smaller than that of the battery charger 900.Accordingly, even in a case where only the battery charger 900 isaccommodated in the cradle 950, electrical connection can be madebetween the contacts 910 a to 910 c and the contact terminals 958 a to958 c.

[0046]FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of the cradle 950 accommodatingthe ink jet printer 800 to which the battery charger 900 is attached. InFIG. 5, elements corresponding to those in the above-described figureshave the same reference numerals, and explanations thereof will beomitted.

[0047] In FIG. 5, as the contacts 910 a-910 c of the battery charger 900are electrically connected to the contact terminals 958 a-958 c of thecradle 950, the battery pack (battery) included in the battery charger900 is electrically charged by inserting the AC adapter cable into theCDL-DCin jack 956 of the cradle 950.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 5, in the status where the ink jet printer 800to which the battery charger 900 is attached is accommodated in thecradle 950, the CHG-DCin jack 907 of the battery charger 900 is coveredwith the upper case 951. Upon use of the cradle 950, the user canrightly insert the AC adapter cable into the CDL-DCin jack 956 of thecradle 950, thereby erroneous insertion of a power supply cable can beprevented.

[0049] Further, as the charge indicator 909 of the battery charger 900can be visually observed via the window 951 a provided in the upper case951 of the cradle 950, the battery charge status can be checked whilethe battery charger 900 is accommodated in the cradle 950.

[0050]FIG. 6 depicts a side view of the cradle 950 in FIG. 5accommodating the ink jet printer 800 to which the battery charger 900is attached.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 6, in the status where the ink jet printer 800is accommodated in the cradle 950, the printer 800 is supported with thepaper feed cover 803 in an un-opened position. That is, when the ink jetprinter 800 is accommodated in the cradle 950, the paper feed cover 803is placed inside the upper case 951, thereby an opening operation of thepaper feed cover 803 is regulated. Accordingly, erroneous opening ordropout of the paper feed cover 803 during battery charging or the likecan be prevented.

[0052] Further, in FIG. 6, the upper case 951 and the CDL decorativesheet 954 are provided such that the I/F connector 815 of the ink jetprinter 800 is completely exposed while the ink jet printer isaccommodated in the cradle 950. Accordingly, even when the ink jetprinter 800, in which the USB cable is inserted, is accommodated in thecradle 950, there is no interference between the cradle 950 and thecable. It is not necessary to remove the USB cable every time the inkjet printer 800 is accommodated in the cradle 950, and there is nodamage to the connector portion upon such attachment/removable. Further,the ink jet printer 800 may be provided with radio communication meansutilizing light or radio wave in a portion exposed from the cradle 950when the ink jet printer 800 is accommodated in the cradle 950.

[0053] Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the cradle 950 has a shape that, asthe relation between a width X of an opening to accommodate the ink jetprinter 800 (i.e., the width of installation surface of the ink jetprinter 800 in an upright position) and a width Y of installationsurface of the cradle 950 to the floor, X<Y holds. Accordingly, incomparison with a case where the ink jet printer 800 is placed in anupright position as a single device, safety is much more increased inthe case where the printer 800 in an upright position is accommodated inthe cradle 950. It is not necessary to carefully operate the printer 800as in the case that the printer 800 is placed in an upright position asa single device or to set leg members to increase the installation areafor safety, and it is easy to accommodate/remove the printer 800 in/fromthe cradle.

[0054] In the above description, the ink jet printer, to which thebattery-including removable charging unit is attached, is accommodatedin the cradle only with the electrical connection function, thereby thebattery is electrically charged, however, the present invention is notlimited to this arrangement.

[0055] Next, the construction of mechanisms of the ink jet printer 800according to the present embodiment will be described with reference toFIG. 7.

[0056]FIG. 7 depicts a perspective view showing the mechanisms of theink jet printer 800 according to the present embodiment.

[0057] In FIG. 7, a print head cartridge 105, comprising integratedprint head and ink tank 106, is mounted on a carriage 104, and isreciprocated in a lengthwise direction along a guide rail 103. Inkdischarged from the print head is attached to a print medium (printsheet) 102 where its printing surface is regulated on a platen via aslight interval from the print head, and forms an image on the printsheet.

[0058] The print head is supplied with a discharge signal incorrespondence with image data via a flexible cable 119. Note thatnumeral 114 denotes a carriage motor to scan-move the carriage 104 alongthe guide rail 103. Numeral 113 denotes a carriage driving belt totransmit a driving force of the carriage motor 114 to the carriage 104.Further, numeral 118 denotes a conveyance motor for rotating aconveyance roller 101 to convey the print sheet 102.

[0059] Next, the ink jet printer 800, the battery charger 900 and thecradle 950 will be respectively described in detail with reference toFIGS. 8A and 8B.

[0060]FIGS. 8A and 8B are block diagrams showing the constructions ofthe ink jet printer 800, the battery charger 900 and the cradle 950according to the present embodiment. Note that in FIGS. 8A and 8B,elements corresponding to those in the above-described figures have thesame reference numerals, and explanations thereof will be omitted.

[0061] In FIGS. 8A and 8B, the ink jet printer 800 has the followingconstruction.

[0062] A controller 8101 performs various controls such as print datasupply control to supply print data to a print head 8108, data transfercontrol to transfer data between an interface 8102 to input a printsignal from an external device and a RAM 8103, and driving of thecarriage motor 114 and the conveyance motor 118 upon print operation.The controller 8101 has a CPU (not shown) which performs variouscontrols to be described later in accordance with a control programstored in a ROM 8104, an analog-digital (A/D) converter 8121 whichconverts an analog signal from a power source voltage detection unit8113 to a digital signal, a serial communication unit 8122 forcommunication with the battery charger 900 to be described later, a keysignal reception unit 8123 which inputs a key switch signal fromoperation at an operation unit 8114, and the like. The ROM 8104 holdsthe control program executed by the controller 8101, various data andthe like. The RAM 8103, which is also used as a work area, holds variousdata. A purge motor 8107 drives cleaning means of the print head 8108. Apower key switch 8124 is provided on the operation unit 8114. Note thatthe operation unit 8114 has various key switches, display lamps, liquidcrystal display and the like. A power source unit 8112 generateselectric power for the print head 8108 and the various motors 114, 118and 8107, and electric power to drive a logic circuit, a driving circuitand the like of the controller 8101. The power source voltage detectionunit 8113 detects a voltage of the driving power source supplied to theink jet printer 800 and outputs it to the A/D converter 8121.

[0063] Further, an AC adapter 200, which inputs commercial electricpower (AC electric power) and generates a predetermined DC voltage,functions as a primary driving power source of the ink jet printer 800.

[0064] In the above construction, when the power key 8124 at theoperation unit 8114 is depressed and the power source of the ink jetprinter 800 is turned on, an operation of the ink jet printer 800starts, and enters in a stand-by status waiting for reception of printsignal from a host device as an external device When a print signal hasbeen transmitted from the host device and inputted into the interface8102, the controller 8101 converts the print signal into print data forprinting. Then the controller 8101 rotate-drives the respective motors114, 118 and 8107, and at the same time, drives the print head 8108 inaccordance with the print data, thereby performs image printing.

[0065] Further, in a case where the battery charger 900 is connected tothe ink jet printer 800 and the printer 800 operates with electric powersupplied from the battery, the controller 8101 detects an output fromthe power source voltage detection unit 8113 using its internal A/Dconverter 8121 at predetermined timing, so as to detect a residualcapacity (electric power) of the battery as a secondary driving powersource. Further, the controller 8101 transmits information on thedetected battery residual capacity (electric power) to the batterycharger 900 via the serial communication unit 8122.

[0066]FIGS. 9A and 9B depict explanatory views showing data format inserial data communication between the ink jet printer 800 and thebattery charger 900 according to the embodiment. FIG. 9A shows a 1-bytedata transfer frame, and FIG. 9B shows an allocation of respective bits.

[0067] As shown in FIG. 9A, the serial data has a 1 data frame of total11 bits including a 1-bit start bit, following 8 data bits, and 2 stopbits.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 9B, a bit designating whether or not to suspendbattery charging (D0), a bit designating whether or not to enable atransition to a shut off state (D1), a bit designating alternation ofcharging current (D2), bits designating display content on the display909 of the battery charger 900 in correspondence with the residualcapacity (electric power) of the battery pack 300 (D4 to D6) and thelike are allocated to the data bits. Note that the ink jet printer 800transmits the data frame to the battery charger 900 via the serialcommunication unit 8122 at predetermined time intervals.

[0069] Next, the construction of the battery charger 900 will bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 8A and 8B.

[0070] The battery pack 300 is used as a secondary driving power sourceof the ink jet printer 800. In the present embodiment, the battery pack300 is a lithium ion battery, however, the present invention is notlimited to this battery. Numeral 301 denotes a battery cell; numeral 302denotes a thermistor used for measurement of the temperature in thebattery pack; and numeral 303 denotes a protective module which protectsthe battery cell 201 from overvoltage, overcurrent and overdischarge.

[0071] The battery charger 900, in a status where the CHG-DCin jack 907is supplied with electric power from the AC adapter 200, has a powersource relay function to relay-output a higher one of output voltagesfrom the AC adapter 200 and the battery pack 300 to the ink jet printer800, a charging function to electrically charge the battery pack 300with the DC output from the AC adapter 200, a power save function toshut off its internal circuits and the power source output from thebattery pack 300 to save power, and a communication function to performserial communication with the ink jet printer 800.

[0072] A 1-chip microcomputer 401 includes a memory holding a controlprogram for this microcomputer, and controls the entire operation of thebattery charger 900. The microcomputer 401 mainly includes, as itscontrol functional units, an A/D converter 423, a charging on/off unit425, a display control unit 426, a shut off control unit 421, and aserial communication unit 422. A DC-DC converter 403 generates acharging voltage to electrically charge the battery pack 300 from theelectric power supplied from the AC adapter 200. A shut off switch 409performs power source shut off control to cut electric consumption inthe battery charger 900. The shut off switch 409 is constructed by usinge.g., FET transistors. A power source unit 410 is a voltage regulatorwhich generates a driving voltage for a logic circuit of the batterycharger 900. A power-on detection unit 408 releases a shut off state ofthe shut off switch 409 when the unit 408 detects that the output fromthe AC adapter 200 is connected to the jack 907 and electric powersupply from the AC adapter 200 is started. A power key signal 411 isgenerated in correspondence with depression of the power key 8124 of theink jet printer 800. When the signal 411 is inputted, a power savestatus of the battery charger 900 is released. The indicator 909indicates the battery residual capacity (electric power) for the user. Acharging voltage detection unit 404 detects a battery voltage duringelectric charging. A charging current detection unit 405 detects acharging current. A power source voltage detection unit 406 detects avoltage of the driving power source. A battery temperature detectionunit 407 converts a resistance value of the thermistor 302 to a voltagevalue to detect the temperature of the battery pack 300.

[0073] Further, when the output from the AC adapter 200 is connected tothe DCin jack 956 of the cradle 950, the electric power is suppliedthrough the above-described contact terminals 958 (958 a to 958 c) tothe terminals 910 (910 a to 910 c) of the battery charger 900.

[0074] In the above construction, an operation procedure upon drivingwith electric power from the AC adapter 200 and an operation procedureupon driving with electric power from the battery pack 300 will bedescribed with reference to the state transition diagram of FIG. 10. InFIG. 10, AC ON shows a state in which the AC adapter 200 is connected (ajack of the AC adapter 200 is connected), and AC OFF shows a state inwhich the AC adapter 200 is not connected (the jack of the AC adapter200 is removed), and Key On shows an ON state of the power switch.

[0075] In a case where the output from the AC adapter 200 is connectedto the jack 907 of the battery charger 900 or the output from the ACadapter 200 is already connected and the charger 900 is in a shut off Astate 1000, when the power key 8124 of the ink jet printer 800 isdepressed, the shut off state of the shut off switch 409 is released bythe power-on detection unit 408 or the power key signal 411, then anelectric power is supplied to the internal circuits of the ink jetprinter 800 and the battery charger 900, and the 1-chip microcomputer401 starts to operate. The 1-chip microcomputer 401 performsinitialization A processing 1001 for, e.g., holding the shut offreleased state of the shut off switch 409 and release of a battery shutoff switch of the protective module 303 in the battery pack 300 from ashut off state, and moves to a stand-by A state 1002, in accordance withthe control program stored in its memory.

[0076] In the stand-by A state 1002, it is determined whether or not thebattery pack 300 requires electric charging. If the electric charging isnecessary, the process proceeds to an electric charging state 1003.Further, if the electric charging is not necessary since e.g. thebattery pack 300 has already been fully charged, the stand-by A state1002 is held. When a shut off instruction is made by the serial datafrom the ink jet printer 800 (1004) or a state where the serial data,periodically transmitted from the ink jet printer 800 when power-on, hasnot been received for a predetermined period (1005), the processproceeds to shut off A 1000 power save mode.

[0077] Further, in the electric charging state 1003, the 1-chipmicrocomputer 401 controls the DC-DC converter 403 based on the signalsfrom the battery temperature detection unit 407, the power sourcevoltage detection unit 406, the charging current detection unit 405 andthe charging voltage detection unit 404, to electrically charge thebattery pack 300. At this time, an indication of execution of electriccharging is displayed on the indicator 909 for the user. Note that whenan electric charging suspension instruction is made by the serial datafrom the ink jet printer 800, the process proceeds to an electriccharging suspension state 1006, in which the electric charging of thebattery pack 300 is temporary suspended. In the electric chargingsuspension state 1006, if an electric charging restart instruction hasbeen sent from the ink jet printer 800 or the serial data from the inkjet printer 800 has not been received for a predetermined period, theprocess returns to the electric charging state 1003, in which theelectric charging is restarted. When the battery pack 300 iselectrically charged to a predetermined charging capacity (electricpower), the process proceeds to the stand-by A state 1002. Further, inthe electric charging state 1003, when it is determined that thecharging voltage or the charging current cannot be detected due toabnormality of battery temperature or fault in the battery, based on thesignals from the battery temperature detection unit 407, the powersource voltage detection unit 406, the charging current detection unit405 and the charging voltage detection unit 404, the 1-chipmicrocomputer 401 controls the DC-DC converter 403 to stop the electriccharging of the battery pack 300, and the process proceeds to an errorstate 1007.

[0078] Next, an operation procedure upon driving with electric powerfrom the battery pack 300 (battery driving) will be described.

[0079] In this case, the AC adapter 200 is not connected. First, in ashut off B state 1010 of a power save mode, when the power key 8124 ofthe ink jet printer 800 is depressed, the shut off state of the shut offswitch 409 and that of the shut off switch in the battery protectivemodule 303 are released by the power key signal 411, then an electricpower is supplied to the internal circuits of the ink jet printer 800and the battery charger 900, and the 1-chip microcomputer 401 starts tooperate. The 1-chip microcomputer 401 performs initialization Bprocessing 1011 for, e.g., holding the shut off released state of theshut off switch 409 and that of the shut off switch in the batteryprotective module 303, and moves to a stand-by B state 1012, inaccordance with the control program stored in its memory. In thestand-by B state 1012, the 1-chip microcomputer 401 indicates theresidual capacity (electric power) of the battery pack 300 on theindicator 909 in accordance with an instruction in the serial data fromthe ink jet printer 800. At this time, in the ink jet printer 800, thepower source voltage supplied from the battery charger 900 is detectedby the power source voltage detection unit 8113 for detection of theresidual capacity (electric power) of the battery pack 300, and theresult of detection is transmitted via the serial communication units8122 and 422 to the battery charger 900. Then in the battery charger900, the battery residual capacity (electric power) is displayed.

[0080] Further, in the ink jet printer 800, when a power-off instructionis made by the power key 8124, a shut off enable instruction istransmitted as the serial data to the battery charger 900. In thebattery charger 900, the output from the battery pack 300 is shut off ina shut off preparation state 1013, and the shut off switch 409 is turnedoff. Then the battery charger 900 shifts to a shut off B state 1010.Thus, wasteful consumption of the battery pack 300 due to dark currentsin the ink jet printer 800 and the battery charger 900 upon power-offtime can be prevented.

[0081] Next, a description will be made about a case where the batterycharger 900 which has been connected to the ink jet printer 800, isdisconnected from the ink jet printer 800. In a case where the batterycharger 900 is the shut off A state 1000 when the jack 907 is connectedto an output terminal of the AC adapter 200, if the battery charger 900is disconnected from the ink jet printer 800, the output terminal of theAC adapter 200 is removed from the jack 907 (AC OFF) and the batterycharger 900 shifts to the shut off B state 1010. After then, when theoutput terminal of the AC adapter 200 is again connected to the jack 907(AC ON), the battery charger 900 shifts to the initialization A state1001. In the initialization A state 1001, the battery charger 900 hascompleted the initialization process and shift to the stand-by A state1002 to wait for a command from the ink jet printer 800. In this case,the ink jet printer 800 is not connected, so the command is nottransmitted from the printer 800. It is determined whether or not anelectric charging of the battery pack 300 is necessary in the stand-by Astate 1002, if necessary, the battery charger 900 shifts to the electriccharging state 1003 and electrically charges the battery pack 300. Then,the charger 900 shifts to the stand-by A state 1002 after the electriccharging is completed.

[0082] In the stand-by A state 1002, when the output terminal of the ACadapter 200 is removed from the jack 907 (AC OFF), the battery charger900 shifts to the stand-by B state 1012. After then, when the outputterminal of the AC adapter 200 is connected to the jack 907 (AC ON), thebattery charger 900 shifts to the initialization A state 1001, and afterthen shifts to the stand-by A state 1002. As described above, accordingto the connection/non-connection of the AC adapter 200, the batterycharger 900 shifts to the stand-by A state 1002 and performs theelectric charging operation of the battery pack 300 by itself, withoutany instruction by depression of the power key 8124 (even if the batterycharger 900 is not connected to the ink jet printer 800).

[0083] Next, a description will be made about a software controlprocedure for automatic selection between a print mode and an electriccharging mode to electrically charge the rechargeable battery pack 300in the ink jet printer 800 as described above.

[0084]FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure in the inkjet printer 800 according to the present embodiment. A program for thisprocessing is stored in the ROM 8104, and it is executed in accordancewith control processing by the controller 8101.

[0085] The processing is started by depression of the power key 8124 ofthe operation unit 8114. When the power source is turned on, first, atstep S1, a shut off disable signal to prohibit a transition to the shutoff mode is transmitted via the serial communication unit 8122 to thebattery charger 900. In the battery charger 900, a flag to permit atransition to the shut off mode is reset (tuned off) by receiving theshut off disable signal. This processing will be described later withreference to the flowchart of FIG. 16.

[0086] Next, at step S2, it is determined whether or not a print commandhas been inputted from the host device via the interface 8102. If it isdetermined that a print command has been received, the process proceedsto step S3, at which it is determined whether or not the current mode isa so-called stand-by mode in which a cap for prevention of dry and dustis attached to the print head 8108. Since the controller 8101 itselfcontrols capping of the print head 8108, the determination is made basedon an on/off state of a cap flag set in the RAM 8103. If it isdetermined that the cap flag is off, i.e., the print head is not capped(a capping processing is not implemented), the process proceeds to stepS8, while if it is determined that the cap flag is on, i.e., the printhead is capped (a capping processing is being implemented), the processproceeds to step S4. The cap flag is set ON, e.g., the capping operationis completed, and is set OFF when the capping releasing operation iscompleted (for recording operation).

[0087] At step S4, it is determined whether or not the battery pack 300is being electrically charged in the battery charger 900. If it isdetermined the battery pack is being electrically charged, the processproceeds to step S5, at which a charging suspension signal indicatingthat electric charging is disabled (D0=0: FIG. 9B) is seriallytransmitted to the battery charger 900, to stop electric charging of thebattery pack 300 and stop the indication of charging on the indicator909. Then the process proceeds to step S6. Note that the determinationwhether or not the battery pack is being electrically charged may bemade based on an instruction from the battery charger 900 bycommunication through the serial communication units 422 and 8122.Otherwise, it may be arranged such that a flag indicating that electriccharging is enabled or disabled is set in the RAM 8103 and thedetermination is made based on the flag state.

[0088] On the other hand, if it is determined that the battery pack 300is not being electrically charged, the process proceeds to step S6, atwhich the cap on the print head 8108 is opened. Then at step S7, the capflag is reset. At step S8, print processing is performed in accordancewith the print command from the host device. When the print processinghas been completed, the process returns to step S2, to wait forreception of print command from the host device again.

[0089] If a print command has not been received at step S2, the processproceeds to step S9, at which it is determined whether or not the printhead 8108 is capped based on the cap flag in the RAM 8103 as in the caseof the above-described step S3. If it is determined that the cap flag isoff, i.e., the print head 8108 is not capped, the process proceeds tostep S10, at which time elapsed from the reception of the print commandis measured. It is determined whether or not the time has exceeded apredetermined time period, i.e., a time out has occurred. If it isdetermined that a time out has not occurred, the process returns to stepS2, while if it is determined that the time out has occurred, theprocess proceeds to step S11, at which the print head 8101 is capped forprotection of print head. Then the process proceeds to step S12, atwhich the cap flag in the RAM 8103 is turned on. The processing fromstep S9 to step S12, which is called auto capping processing, iswell-known processing for preventing clogging in the print head 8108 innon-printing times.

[0090] Further, if it is determined at step S9 that the print head 8108is capped, the process proceeds to step S13, at which it is determinedbased on the signal from the power source voltage detection unit 8113whether or not the printer 800 is driven with an electric power from theAC adapter 200. If it is determined that the printer 800 is driven withthe electric power from the AC adapter 200, the process proceeds to stepS14, at which it is determined based on a signal from the batterycharger 900 whether or not electric charging of the battery pack 300 isnecessary (for example, whether or not the battery pack 300 isfull-charged). If it is determined that the electric charging isnecessary, the process proceeds to step S15, at which the dataindicating that the electric charging is enabled (D0=1: FIG. 9B) istransmitted to the battery charger 900, to start electric charging ofthe battery pack 300 and the indication of charging in the batterycharger 900. That is, the present mode is changed to the electriccharging mode, or the electric charging mode is continued. On the otherhand, if it is determined that the electric charging is not necessary,the process proceeds to step S16, at which the data indicatingsuspension of electric charging (D0=0: FIG. 9B) is transmitted to thebattery charger 900, to stop or suspend electric charging of the batterypack 300 and the indication of charging, and the process returns to stepS2.

[0091] As will be described later, in the battery charger 900, it isdetermined whether or not the temperature of the battery cell 301detected by the battery temperature detection unit 407 is normal, andwhether or not the output voltage from the battery pack 300 detected bythe charging voltage detection unit 407 is a value indicating thatelectric charging is necessary. Then based on the results of detection,notification as to whether or not electric charging is necessary is madeas the above-described serial signal to the ink jet printer 800.

[0092] As described above, at steps S2 and S3 to S8, the electriccharging processing is not performed since the print mode is executed.At steps S2 and S9 to S12, suspension or termination of the print modeis determined and the cap closing processing is performed. At steps S2,S9 and S13 to S16, processing of transition to the electric chargingmode based on the cap flag is performed.

[0093] In step S9, if the cap flag is ON, the ink jet printer 800 maytransmit a command for permitting an electric charging of the batterypack 300 to the battery charger 900 and the battery charger 900 maydetermine whether or not to perform the electric charging.

[0094] Note that in the ink jet printer 800, the data transmission bythe serial communication unit 8122 is continued at constant timeintervals (e.g., 100 ms) until the printer 800 becomes a power offstatus. Note that it may be arranged such that upon initializationaccompanying power-on, the existence/absence of external battery charger900 is detected, and only if the battery charger 900 exists, the serialdata transmission is performed. Further, in the printer 800, if a printcommand is not received, the print head 8108 is capped and a transitionto the stand-by status is made, then the charging enable instruction(electric charging is continued: D0=1) is set as the transmission databy the serial communication unit 8122, and transmits the data to thebattery charger 900.

[0095] As described above, as battery charging is performed when theprint head is capped, the period of driving of the motors 114, 118 and8107 and the print head 8108 in print processing can be automaticallyskipped and the electric charging is performed. Thus automatic electriccharging with reduced waste of time can be realized.

[0096] Further, as the electric charging control is not influenced bynoise caused by the driving current in the motors and the print head8108, the accuracy of full-charge detection can be improved.

[0097] Note that in the above description, at step S2, determination ismade based on whether or not a print command from the host device hasbeen received, however, the invention is also applicable to a case wherethe determination is made based on whether or not a self-test printcommand is to be issued.

[0098] Further, it may be arranged such that the print command at stepS2 is replaced with a request for processing of temporarily opening thecap such as a cleaning processing command for the print head 8108, anink cartridge replace operation command, an initialization processingcommand for the printer 800 or a power-off processing command for theprinter 800, and the processing at step S4 is replaced with a processingoperation corresponding to the command at step S2. That is, as theelectric charging skip control can be realized, without performingrespective electric charging skip control on the various motors and theprint head, only based on whether or not the print head is capped, theload on the software is reduced. Further, as it is determined whether ornot the print head 8108 is in a stand-by position based on whether ornot the print head is capped, it is not necessary to provide aspecialized sensor for detection of carriage home position, thus costincrease can be suppressed.

[0099]FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing processing upon power off in theink jet printer 800 according to the present embodiment. The program isstored in the ROM 8104, and it is executed based on the controlprocessing by the controller 8101. Note that in the case of theflowcharts of FIGS. 13 and 14, the program is stored in the ROM 8104 andit is executed based on the control processing by the controller 8101.

[0100] First, at step S21, when a power off operation has beeninstructed by the operation of the power key 8124 of the ink jet printer800 or actuation of an included auto power off function, the processproceeds to step S22, at which it is determined whether or not the capto cover the print head 8108 is open. If it is determined that the printhead is not capped, the process proceeds to step S23, at which the printhead 8108 is capped, and the process proceeds to step S24. Note that thedetermination as to whether or not the print head 8108 is capped can bemade based on the above-described cap flag.

[0101] Further, if it is determined at step S22 that the print head 8108is capped, the process proceeds to step S24, at which the shut offenable instruction is transmitted to the battery charger 900. Theinstruction from the ink jet printer 800 to the battery charger 900 ismade by setting the bit D1 of the data as shown in FIG. 9B to “1”. Theprocess proceeds to step S25, at which the ink jet printer 800 is set tothe power off status.

[0102] Next, processing in the battery charger 900 according to thepresent embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts ofFIGS. 13 to 16. Note that the control program for execution of theprocessing is stored in an ROM (not shown) of the 1-chip microcomputer401, and realized by execution of the control operation by the 1-chipmicrocomputer 401 in accordance with the program.

[0103]FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the entire processing in thebattery charger 900 according to the embodiment.

[0104] First, at step S31, when the power-on is instructed by depressionof the power key 8124 of the ink jet printer 800 (or when the AC adapter200 is connected/disconnected), the instruction is sent as the power keysignal 411 to the battery charger 900. The process proceeds to step S32,at which the shut off status up to that time is released and the powersource of the battery charger 900 is turned on. Then the execution ofthe control program included in the 1-chip microcomputer 401 is started.At step S32, to hold the shut off released status, the outputs from thebattery pack 300 and the shut off switch 409 are enabled by the shut offcontrol units 421 and 424.

[0105] Next, the process proceeds to step S33, at which it is determinedwhether or not the data from the ink jet printer 800 has been receivedby serial communication unit 422. As described above, in the ink jetprinter 800, when the power source is turned on and the initializationprocessing is executed, the shut off disable instruction (D1=1) istransmitted to the battery charger 900 via the serial communication unit8122 at step S1 in FIG. 11. Accordingly, in the battery charger 900, ifit is determined at step S33 that the shut off disable instruction hasbeen received, the process proceeds to step S34, at which processingcorresponding to the received data is performed.

[0106]FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the processing at step S34 uponreception of the shut off disable instruction.

[0107] At step S51, if it is determined that the received data is theshut off disable instruction, the process proceeds to step S52, at whicha shut off enable flag in the 1-chip microcomputer 401 is turned off(reset). On the other hand, if it is determined that the received datais not the shut off disable instruction, the process proceeds to stepS53, at which the shut off enable flag in the memory of the 1-chipmicrocomputer 401 is turned on. In the battery charger 900, when theshut off enable flag is on, if it is determined that the electriccharging of the battery pack 300 is not necessary, the battery charger900 shifts to the shut off status.

[0108] Next, returning to FIG. 13, if no data has been received from theink jet printer 800 at step S33, or after the execution of step S34, theprocess proceeds to step S35, at which it is determined whether or notan electric charging enable flag in the memory of the 1-chipmicrocomputer 401 is on. If the electric charging enable flag is on, theprocess proceeds to step S36, at which it is determined whether or not acondition for electric charging of the battery pack 300, e.g., whetheror not electric power is being supplied from the AC adapter 200, whetheror not the temperature of the battery 301 is normal, or whether or notthe battery charging is uncompleted, is established. If the condition isestablished, the process proceeds to step S37, at which the power sourcevoltage from the AC adapter 200 is inputted into the DC-DC converter 403by the shut off switch 409, and the output therefrom is supplied to thebattery pack 300, thereby electric charging of the battery pack isstarted. Then the process proceeds to step S38.

[0109] Note that if the voltage value detected by the power sourcevoltage detection unit 406 is equal to or higher than a predeterminedvalue, the microcomputer 401 of the battery charger 900 determines thatthe electric power from the AC adapter 200 is supplied, then detects theoutput voltage from the battery pack 300 based on the voltage valuedetected by the charging voltage detection unit 404, and determineswhether or not electric charging of the battery is necessary. Further,the determination as to whether or not the temperature of the battery isnormal is made based on the result of detection by the batterytemperature detection unit 407.

[0110] On the other hand, if it is determined at step S35 that thecharging flag is off, or if it is determined at step S36 that theelectric charging condition is not established, the process proceeds tostep S38, at which it is determined whether or not a so-called time out,a status where the signal periodically inputted when the ink jet printer800 is on has not been inputted for a predetermined or longer period,has occurred. If it is determined that a time out has occurred, theprocess proceeds to step S39, at which the electric charging enable flagand the shut off flag are turned on, and the process proceeds to stepS40.

[0111] Further, if it is determined at step S38 that a time out in datareception has not occurred, the process proceeds to step S40, at whichit is determined whether or not the shut off flag is set. If it isdetermined that the shut off flag is not set, the process returns tostep S33, while if it is determined that the shut off flag is set, theprocess proceeds to step S41, at which it is determined whether or notthe electric charging of the battery pack 300 has been completed orwhether or not the printer is driven with the electric power from thebattery pack 300. If the electric charging has not been completed or theprinter is not driven with the electric power from the battery pack 300,the process returns to step S33, while if the electric charging has beencompleted or the printer is driven with the electric power from thebattery pack 300, the process proceeds to step S42 to shift to the shutoff mode. In the shut off processing at step S42, the completion of theelectric charging of the battery pack 300 is waited, then the outputfrom the battery pack 300 and the shut off switch 409 are turned off bythe shut off control units 421 and 424, and the process shifts to theshut off status. Namely, when the shut off command (enable shut offoperation) is received, the shut off processing is performed. Upon theshut off processing, if it is necessary to electrically charge thebattery pack 300, then the electric charging process is implemented andafter then the shut off processing is implemented.

[0112]FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing processing when the electriccharging disable (charging suspension) information is included in thedata received by the serial communication unit 422 at step S34.

[0113] First, at step S61, it is determined whether or not the bit D0 ofthe data received by the serial communication unit 422 is “0”, i.e., inthe battery charger 900, it is determined whether or not the chargingsuspension information (D0=0) indicating that the electric charging ofthe battery pack 300 is disabled is included. If it is determined thatthe charging suspension information is included in the data, the processproceeds to step S62, at which the electric charging processing issuspended by the 1-chip microcomputer 401, then the charging enable flagin the memory of the 1-chip microcomputer 401 is reset, and the processreturns.

[0114]FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing processing when the charging enable(electric charging is continued) information is included in the datareceived by the serial communication unit 422 at step S34.

[0115] First, at step S71, it is determined whether or not the bit D0 ofthe data received by the serial communication unit 422 is “1”, i.e., inthe battery charger 900, it is determined whether or not the chargingenable information (D0=1) indicating that the electric charging of thebattery pack 300 is enabled is included. If it is determined that thecharging suspension information is included in the data, the processproceeds to step S72, at which the charging enable flag in the memory ofthe 1-chip microcomputer 401 is set, and the process returns.

[0116] By this processing, at step S35 in FIG. 15, it is determined thatthe charging enable flag is set and the process proceeds to step S36, atwhich it is determined whether or not the electric charging condition issatisfied. If the electric charging condition is satisfied, the processproceeds to step S37, at which the electric charging of the battery pack300 is started.

[0117] Note that in addition to the above-described embodiment, it maybe arranged such that an instruction is issued to the battery charger900 to change the charging current to a small current or a large currentby using e.g. the bit D2 of the data in FIG. 9B, in correspondence witha change of battery temperature, the charging voltage or the like.

[0118] [Other Embodiment]

[0119] The present invention can be applied to a system constituted by aplurality of devices (e.g., a host computer, an interface, a reader anda printer) or to an apparatus comprising a single device (e.g., a copymachine or a facsimile apparatus).

[0120] Further, the object of the present invention can also be achievedby providing a storage medium (or recording medium) holding softwareprogram code for performing the aforesaid processes to a system or anapparatus, reading the program code with a computer (e.g., CPU, MPU) ofthe system or apparatus from the storage medium, then executing theprogram.

[0121] In this case, the program code read from the storage mediumrealizes the functions according to the embodiment, and the storagemedium holding the program code constitutes the invention.

[0122] Further, the storage medium, such as a floppy disk, a hard disk,an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a DVD, amagnetic tape, a non-volatile type memory card, and ROM can be used forproviding the program code.

[0123] Furthermore, besides aforesaid functions according to the aboveembodiment are realized by executing the program code which is read by acomputer, the present invention includes a case where an OS (operatingsystem) or the like working on the computer performs a part or entireactual processing in accordance with designations of the program codeand realizes functions according to the above embodiment.

[0124] Furthermore, the present invention also includes a case where,after the program code read from the storage medium is written in afunction expansion card which is inserted into the computer or in amemory provided in a function expansion unit which is connected to thecomputer, CPU or the like contained in the function expansion card orunit performs a part or entire process in accordance with designationsof the program code and realizes functions of the above embodiment.

[0125] In FIG. 11, if the ink jet printer 800 is driven by the ACadapter 200 at step S13, then the printer 800 may send an electriccharging enable signal to the battery charger 900 without determiningwhether or not an electric charging is necessary, and the batterycharger 900 may determine whether or not the electric charging of thebattery pack 300 is performed. In this case, the micro computer 401 ofthe battery charger 900 determines whether the battery pack 300 is fullcharged based on signals from the charging current detection unit 405and the charging voltage detection unit 404, and if the charger 900determines it is necessary to electrically charge the battery pack 300,then performs the electric charging processing. The micro computer 401determines that the battery pack 300 is fully charged based on thesignals from the charging current detection unit 405 and the chargingvoltage detection unit 404 to terminate the electric chargingprocessing.

[0126] As described above, according to the present embodiment, it ispossible to provide a battery charging apparatus, an electronicapparatus and a charging control method to minimize cost increase in anAC adapter and the electronic apparatus and upsizing of the electronicapparatus main body without sacrifice of battery driving time.

[0127] The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments andvarious changes and modifications can be made within the spirit andscope of the present invention. Therefore, to appraise the public of thescope of the present invention, the following claims are made.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electric charging apparatusattachable/removable to/from an electronic apparatus main body, whichcharges a secondary battery to supply electric power to the electronicapparatus, comprising: a communication unit configured to performcommunication with the electronic apparatus; determination means fordetermining an electric charging condition for electrically charging thesecondary battery; and control means for controlling electric chargingof the secondary battery in correspondence with an electric chargingcontrol signal for the secondary battery, received from the electronicapparatus via said communication unit, and the electric chargingcondition determined by said determination means.
 2. The chargingapparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an input terminalconfigured to input an electric power from a commercial power source;and power source relay means for supplying the electric power suppliedvia said input terminal to the electronic apparatus, andrelay-outputting the electric power for the electric charging of thesecondary battery.
 3. An electric charging apparatusattachable/removable to/from an electronic apparatus main body, whichcharges a secondary battery to supply an electric power to theelectronic apparatus, comprising: supply means for supplying theelectric power from the secondary battery to the electronic apparatus;reception means for receiving a signal from the electronic apparatus;and control means for, when it is instructed by the signal received bysaid reception means to shut off a power source, stopping electric powersupply from the secondary battery by said supply means.
 4. The chargingapparatus according to claim 3, further comprising electric chargingcontrol means for, when it is instructed by the signal received by saidreception means to shut off the power source, if a condition forelectric charging the secondary battery is satisfied, starting electriccharging of the secondary battery.
 5. An electronic apparatus, which anelectric charging unit including a secondary battery isattachable/removable to/from, and which can be operated with electricpower supply from the secondary battery included in the electriccharging unit, comprising: a communication unit configured to performcommunication with the electric charging unit; and transmission controlmeans for transmitting an electric charging control signal for thesecondary battery to the electric charging unit via said communicationunit.
 6. The electronic apparatus according to claim 5, furthercomprising: an input terminal configured to input an electric power froma commercial power source; determination means for determining whetheror not electric charging of the secondary battery is necessary; andcontrol means for, in a status where the electric power is supplied viasaid input terminal, if said determination means determines that theelectric charging of the secondary battery is necessary, controllingsaid transmission control means to transmit a signal indicating that theelectric charging of the secondary battery is enabled.
 7. The electronicapparatus according to claim 5, further comprising power-source shut-offsignal transmission control means for transmitting a signal indicatingpower-source shut-off to the electric charging unit via saidcommunication unit.
 8. The electronic apparatus according to claim 5,wherein said electronic apparatus is an image forming apparatus, andwherein when an image forming instruction command is inputted from anexternal device while the electric charging unit electrically chargesthe secondary battery, said control means controls said transmissioncontrol means to transmit a signal indicating that the electric chargingof the secondary battery is disabled.
 9. The electronic apparatusaccording to claim 8, wherein said image forming apparatus prints animage on a printing medium by driving a print head.
 10. The electronicapparatus according to claim 9, wherein said image forming apparatus isan ink jet printing apparatus which forms an image on the printingmedium by discharging ink from the print head.
 11. An electric chargingcontrol method in an electric charging apparatus attachable/removableto/from an electronic apparatus main body, which electrically charges asecondary battery to supply an electric power to the electronicapparatus, said method comprising: a supply step of supplying theelectric power from the secondary battery to the electronic apparatus; adetermination step of determining an electric charging condition forelectrically charging the secondary battery; a reception step ofreceiving an electric charging control signal for the secondary batteryfrom the electronic apparatus; and a control step of controllingelectrically charging of the secondary battery in correspondence withthe charging control signal received in said reception step and thecharging condition determined in said determination step.
 12. A controlmethod for an electric charging apparatus attachable/removable to/froman electronic apparatus main body, which electrically charges asecondary battery to supply an electric power to the electronicapparatus, said method comprising: a supply step of supplying theelectric power from the secondary battery to the electronic apparatus; areception step of receiving a signal from the electronic apparatus; anda control step of, when it is instructed by the signal received in saidreception step to shut off a power source, stopping electric powersupply from the secondary battery.
 13. An electric charging controlmethod for an electronic apparatus, which an electric charging unitincluding a secondary battery is attachable/removable to/from, and whichcan be operated with electric power supply from the secondary batteryincluded in the electric charging unit, said method comprising: atransmission step of transmitting an electric charging control signalfor the secondary battery to the electric charging unit.
 14. Thecharging control method according to claim 13, further comprising: adetermination step of determining whether or not electric charging ofthe secondary battery is necessary; and a control step of, in a statuswhere an electric power is supplied via an input terminal to input theelectric power from a commercial power source, if it is determined insaid determination step that the electric charging of the secondarybattery is necessary, transmitting a signal indicating that the electriccharging of the secondary battery is enabled in said transmission step.